The mint condition 2017 example of this road/track special sold on eBay is loaded with carbon fiber, titanium, and cutting-edge tech.
At a glance, this enchanting machine could be mistaken for a regular Panigale 1299. However, the word “superleggera,” Italian for super light, changes everything.
The Superleggera weighs an astonishing 406 pounds. At the time, Japanese rivals like the Kawasaki ZX-10R tipped the scales at almost 450 pounds. It delivers a jaw-dropping 209 horsepower.
Ducati made only 500 Superleggera examples.
Not a Single Scratch
This motorcycle has covered a mere 2,800 miles and is in mint condition. The seller wrapped the bike in a clear-coat PPF system to protect the carbon-fiber panels.
The listing provided numerous images showing the many exotic parts, the quality of the fit and finish, and the Panigale’s condition. The standout photos show the titanium Akrapovic GP exhaust system. Its two pipes collide under the motor before sprouting up and over the rear wheel.
This system came with the bike as part of its Track Package, which includes:
- Taller race screen
- Aluminum mirror blanking plates
- Licence plate removal kit
- Track-only belly pan (can’t be fitted with kickstand)
- Front/rear paddock stands
A Case Study in Weight Reduction
The Panigale 1299—upon which the Superleggera is based—was one of the fastest, lightest, smartest, and most exotic bikes money could buy. The Superleggera was faster, lighter, smarter, and even more exotic.
This machine goes way beyond a few titanium and carbon-fiber bolt-on parts. Here are the key areas Ducati enhanced to achieve the Superlegerra’s low weight:
- Magnesium crankcase
- Carbon-fiber chassis
- Carbon-fiber swing arm - opens in new window or tab.
- Carbon-fiber wheels
- Lightweight battery
The Ducati’s 209 horsepower reaches the pilot through a suite of rider aids to control how much it can wheelie, how hard it can launch, and how far it is allowed to slide in a turn. It makes you wonder how much extra tech and performance a full-fledged Grand Prix machine has over this road bike.
You feel that complete lack of weight, a hollowness that defies belief on a 1,300-cc superbike every inch of the way, and as speeds build, that sense of airy lightness never goes away. It takes little effort to flick this wondrous, thunderous motorcycle from side to side through the high-speed chicanes, and it carves with complete precision through fast corners.
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